Lundqvist, Rangers blank Bruins

Feb 15, 2012 - 4:44 AM

Boston, MA (Sports Network) - Henrik Lundqvist posted his league-leading
seventh shutout of the season, as the New York Rangers extended their overall
winning streak and their road run against Boston to four with a 3-0 whitewash
of the Bruins Tuesday night.

Lundqvist made 18 of his season-high 42 saves in the third period for the
Rangers, who improved to 8-1-1 over their last 10 games and pace the Eastern
Conference with 79 points, one fewer than Detroit for the NHL lead.

"Teams go on streaks. There are a lot of things that can happen, so [the
standings] are not on our mind at all right now," said Ryan Callahan, who had
a goal. "We just have to keep rolling, and also it's important to keep
improving."

Tim Thomas stopped 17 shots for Boston, which has dropped five of eight.

"We certainly could have done more," said Bruins head coach Claude Julien.
"They won more battles than we did tonight."

Callahan continued his torrid streak by opening the scoring on a power play
10:09 into the game.

Boston captain Zdeno Chara was hit by Rangers defenseman Dan Girardi, fell and
closed his hand on the puck in the offensive zone.

On the ensuing man advantage, Michael Del Zotto shifted from his point
position down to the left circle, where he gathered Marian Gaborik's pass and
quickly dished through the crease to Callahan for an easy tap-in.

It was Callahan's 23rd goal of the season -- matching his career high set last
year -- and the sixth in four games for the New York captain.

Ryan McDonagh fired a shot from the boards near the outer edge of the left
circle that went in off Chara to put the Rangers up 2-0 with 11.8 seconds
remaining in the first period.

Artem Anisimov hanged on to the puck on a 2-on-1 rush and beat Thomas with a
shot to his blocker side at the 2:53 mark of the third period.

Game Notes

Lundqvist recorded his 42nd career shutout. He started his 22nd consecutive
game for the Rangers against Boston, dating back to January 13,
2007...Callahan has 99 career goals...Anisimov notched his 100th career
point...Gaborik turned 30 on Tuesday...Before the game, the Bruins signed
defenseman Johnny Boychuk to a three-year contract extension...Boston begins a
six-game road trip Wednesday in Montreal...The Rangers host the Chicago
Blackhawks on Thursday.